Abby Choi trial so far: ex-father-in-law lied to rent village flat, bought mincer

Former Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi's murder trial has entered its fourth week, with evidence revealing that her ex-father-in-law, Kwong Kau, lied about renting a flat in a village and purchased various items, including a meat mincer and saws, to allegedly prepare for her killing. Kwong Kau, a retired police sergeant, is on trial alongside his two sons, Anthony and Alex Kwong, for allegedly murdering the 28-year-old influencer on February 21, 2023.

The elder Kwong is also contesting the charge of preventing the burial of Choi's body. Her dismembered remains were found in a rental flat on February 24, 2023, with parts of her head and legs recovered. The landlady, Hui Yan-yan, testified that Kwong Kau told her the purpose of renting the flat was to spend time with his wife after retirement and that his son, daughter-in-law, and children were returning from Australia and would be living with him in their Mong Kok residence.

However, it later emerged that neither of Kwong's two sons was living overseas at the time. Kwong Kau had specifically inquired about surveillance cameras when he signed the rental agreement on February 5, 2023. Kwong Kau admitted to purchasing a commercial meat mincer, a 14-by-14-inch soup pot, a wooden chopping board, and a frying sieve for HK$8,700 on February 8.

Cho Chin-to, who lived above the flat, noticed heavy objects being carried inside the flat on February 21, as well as the sound of electric saws and renovation work. The court heard that Choi's head was found in a large soup pot containing pieces of cooked carrot and radish, while her legs, pelvis, and spine were discovered inside a refrigerator.

Forensic scientist Dr. Tam Cheok-ning determined that the cut mark on Choi's spine was consistent with an electric saw blade. Prosecutors claim that the murder was motivated by a family feud over the proposed sale of a HK$72 million flat in Ho Man Tin's Kadooria residential complex. Kwong Kau, the registered owner, allegedly resented Choi for attempting to sell the property and enlisted his sons to help kill her so he could retain it.

Choi had paid the full HK$60 million purchase price when Kwong Kau bought the flat in her name in 2019. Property agent Marco Wong Tak-sing stated that Kwong pocketed HK$6.97 million in cash rebates and paid HK$3.09 million in stamp duty for the purchase, but it is unclear whether he settled the funds using his own money. Choi's former chauffeur, Chin Kei-shun, claimed that Anthony Kwong gave her HK$600,000 when she faced financial difficulties in 2022, while Aristo Watch & Jewellery employee Chan Leong-hang said Alex Kwong requested a share of his earnings from selling luxury watches at the shop.

Senior forensic scientist Dr. Tam is expected to continue his oral testimony when the trial resumes the following week.